American Toby Jug Museum 

King John toby jug produced by Roy Kirkham Pottery of Tunstall, England, circa 1981. Famous as the king who signed the Magna Carta in 1215, John (1167-1216) was the youngest son of Henry II, but on his father's death in 1189, Henry's brother, Richard, became king. In 1190 King Richard I recognized his nephew, Arthur, as his heir. But when Philip II of France captured Arthur in 1196, Richard named John heir. Three years later Richard was dead and John was king. King John's government became increasingly ruthless in its financial administration. Taxes soared and he began to exploit his feudal rights ever more harshly. Negotiations between John and his barons failed and civil war broke out in May, 1215. When the rebels seized London, John was compelled to negotiate, and he accepted the terms embodied in the Magna Carta, which ensured feudal rights and restated English law. This settlement was soon rendered impractical by the more stubborn barons, and in the ensuing civil war John laid waste to the northern counties. John continued to wage war vigorously but died, leaving the issues undecided. His death enabled a compromise peace that restored the rebels and ensured the succession of his son, Henry III.